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Raising the bar

Without fanfaring an already gloomy state of affairs, we’re all aware how tricky it is for young people to find work at the moment – particularly in the creative industries.

Jotta, the network of University of the Arts London creative types, provides a platform for showcasing the work of young artists and designers.

Here’s some inspiration for entrants produced by Kopparberg

Recently, Jotta teamed up with Kopparberg cider to launch a competition to create a design for t-shirts to be worn by Kopparberg bar staff.

Millie Ross, content director of Jotta, says, ‘The competition fits in with what we do because it’s a platform for collaboration across art and design. Their whole campaign is around discovering new talent and finding inspiring places, music, art and design. They’re looking for a harder, edgier aesthetic – something cheeky and subversive.’

She adds, ‘It’s really valuable experience to be working to a brief with a brand with such a massive profile and to get that level of exposure across the UK.’

And while we’re not promising that a single competition will set you up in a dream design job for life, the people of Jotta have little doubt that it can provide a significant leg up.

Another inspiration shot from the cider company

Jane Trustram, design director of Jotta says, ‘My advice for graduates is to take every opportunity and to keep designing. It’s easy to have your portfolio from art school and just show that to people without generating more content.

‘It’s important to enter competitions and set yourself briefs. You have to have recent work to talk to people about in interviews – it’s good to show that you’re keen.’

If the ‘valuable experience’ incentive isn’t quite enough to get you scribbling, the prize also includes £500 cash and two tickets to an as-yet-unconfirmed music festival this summer.